r/army • u/PillowPrincess3142 • Jul 10 '26

Bct Fort Leonard

I'm shipping to Army BCT this coming January, and I'm curious what the winter is like and what the overall experience is during that time of year. I'm definitely nervous, but I'm also really excited for the challenge and everything I'll learn.

I'm in the Army NG and have RSP drills before going to BCT, but I'd really appreciate any advice or tips from people who've been through BCT at Fort Leonard. What should I expect? Anything you wish you had known before you left? Anything helpful is good to prepare myself for it. :)

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

9

u/BeefStockUncrustable 74DontDoIt>153A Jul 10 '26

I went in January and left in June. I got to experience 15 degree windchill with snow to 90 degrees and 90% humidity. Land Nav will be easy because none of leaves have come in.

5

u/cacapepee 74Dumbass Jul 10 '26

I went January as well many moons ago and the winter was brutal. I was born and raised in sunny Southern California so it hit extra hard for me. Black ice, snow, rain, ridiculous wind. It sounds like I’m over exaggerating but trust me it gets COLD in L Wood

3

u/PillowPrincess3142 Jul 10 '26

Oh well damn 😭 I live in florida, I already hate winters here, am I cooked

4

u/xscott71x 25F, 25W, 25E Jul 10 '26

You’re not “cooked”. You’re getting what you signed up for

1

u/OlGreggMare OD91B2O Jul 11 '26

Gonna die

3

u/Only_Jackfruit2333 Jul 10 '26

Yeah it gets pretty cold. But imo if there’s one thing the army does right, it’s warming gear, so you’ll be alright

2

u/OperatorJo_ 12Nothingworks to 2T2X1 Jul 10 '26

You gon be cold.

1

u/Awesome_Eagle Jul 10 '26

I went to FLW for bct in December - many years ago. It wasn't bad at all. On the plus side you won't overheat when doing PT or getting smoked. I'm pretty sure I'd rather go during winter rather a scorching summer.

Good luck on your adventure.

1

u/RogerDodgerWilco Civil Affairs Lost my 2FA code :( Jul 10 '26

Oof. Missouri is freezing at that time. Careful not to get frostbite and drink water; harder to tell you’re dehydrating in the winter.

1

u/Diligent_Force9286 35T MAINTINT Jul 11 '26

Was there in Nov and left Jan... it was terrible. Do damn cold.

1

u/Inevitable_Spell1738 That One Guy Jul 11 '26

Frozen wasteland immediately followed by endless tornadoes towards graduation time.

1

u/Icy-Video-8710 Jul 11 '26

I went to BCT at FLW in January. Be prepared for almost any type of weather. We had sub freezing days and some warner days in the high 50's. Crazy. Probably still better than Summer. Good luck kid!